Q. I have Achilles tendinitis in my right foot. The heel and tendon area are very sore. Walking on hard surfaces like cement seems to aggravate the pain. I have a soft orthodic support I wear in my shoes. Any suggestions? Exercises, ice, massage relieve it temporarily. Will this ever go away?

Mary, this may be bad enough to require an evaluation. You could try a heel lift in your shoe. But yes we can get this better!

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Q. I dropped a 20 pound box of paper on my foot at wok and they want me to get it checked out. It doesn't hurt so is there really a need to get it looked at?

Burt, I would get it checked out to make sure it doesn't BECOME something worse later on. Harder to check on it later...

Q. I have tears in me Achilles on my left foot as well as Haglunds Deformity. I have Plantar Fasciitis in my right foor. I have always been fairly active until now. I have tried PT, a compression sleeve, heel lifts, orthotics, steriods and I am currently wearing a boot on my left foot. I just had my second shot in my right foot. I feel I have exhausted all avenues other than surgery. Would you agree?

Bev, if depends on which area. For PF other injections/therapies are available. For Achilles, you may be close to ready

Q. I hurt my ankle swimming and I don't know how that can happen. My right ankle is so swallow what should I do?

Noah, ankle swelling and pain that doesn't go away should be evaluated. Try modifying activities first for a could weeks and if still no better, let us know.

Q. I have a small spot on the bottom of my foot between my 3rd & 4th toe that is painful when I pp it much weight on it and I get so excited kind of clicking feeling when I apply any type of pressure. Any idea what that could be ?

Rob, could be a neuroma. Try padding around and stretching first. If no help, confirming a nerve problem and potentially injection may help

Q. I have medial right foot pain. I was told its arthritis. I use Voltaren oint. I was told by a Christ dr. They had to fuse my foot . I figured that would only create more problems. Any ideas

Lynn, I would need to see your xrays to see if you really need a fusion. Sometimes a reconstruction is possible though. Not all fusions are bad either. let me know if i can help

Q. I have pain in the top of my foot. What is this caused by?

Hi Debbie, there are numerous cause to this from arthritis of a stress fracture. Lets go over it in the office and I can give you an accurate diagnosis.

Q. My daughter is experiencing pain under the ball of her foot. She wore high heel shoes to school which put alot of pressure on her foot. She had an x ray but nothing showed up. She has tried to rest it since her track season starts next week. If not bone then could it be tendon??

Lisa, could be pain on the balls of the feet/increased pressure. Try some stretching of the calf and a metatarsal pad first

Q. Sprained ankle by missing last step going to basement usually ok but gets painful for a couple of weeks a year plus painfully twinges order what can be done or is this new normal am 65

Stan the Man, a sprained ankle can sometimes lead to some instability and chronic pain. I usually try a brace/ PT first to get you back to your norm. I wouldn't accept it though!

Q. What are some options for plantar Fasciitis when you also have heel spurs?

Beth, PF can often be thought of a maintenance issue. Initially continue protection with insert and stretching. If it doesnt improve, US or injections can work!

Q. Dr. Miller is the best! He did my daughters surgery back in Nov. Can't say enough good things about him and his staff at Beacon!

Good to hear Stacey!

Q. I know you're a foot and ankle specialist but can you help my boyfriend with his small wrists?

Hi Ladies, small wrists can lead to several weakness issues... If continues to be a problem, try to PT!

Q. I fell off my roof about 5 years ago. I had several injuries (broken ribs, collapsed lung). Ever since that injury I have had some neck pain (never treated) but the biggest issue is that my feet are tingling and numb. Can anything be done about this? Could this cause a problem down the road for me?

William, numbness and tingling could be coming from your back, so yes probably a good idea to have evaluated?

Q. I have pain in my foot just above the heel between the ankles. appears to be the bone. what can I do?

Eileen, its always good to try some activity modification and an ankle brace. But, if no better, let me know!

Q. I have been dealing with sciatic nerve pain for 3 months. what do you recommend

David, I would have your sciatica evaluated and possibly try physical therapy or injection to start.

Q. My daughter walks with a limp all the time and she thinks it's no big deal but it causes her other foot to swell but leaning on it to much. Could this be a big problem down the road she is 13 years old.

Garrett, if this is related to an injury then I would have it evaluated. ANy type of pain and limp that is new is abnormal in a child.

Q. Are knots on your feet anything to worry about?

Athena, if they are related to your pain I would have them evaluated.

Q. I have heal spurs and arthritis in my feet. I have little knots in the side of my feet and the pain is excruciating. What can I do to help?

Athena, with multiple areas of concern I would try and orthotic first. Sometimes a custom is better than off the shelf. Let me know if I can help!

Q. I had surgery on my foot (where the big toe meets the foot) about 10 years ago. I've had several cortisone shots since and still have some pain. Is there anything I can still do or is this my new normal?

Sarah, you may have some degeneration of the joint (wear and tear). And yes! this could improve. Options can be surgical or nonsurgical depending on the evaluation

Q. When should minor injuries, like an ankle sprain, heal on their own by? I sprained my ankle about a week ago and have been doing "RICE" but it's still painful to put weight on it.

Lauren, a typical ankle sprain should heal in 4 weeks. Some are worse than others though. If they take longer and stop improving i recommend an eval. Thanks!

Q. I broke my toe yesterday is there really anything I can do to help it? It really hurts and it is really painful.

Hi Jeff, if the toe is not aligned normally then yes it should be realigned. Otherwise protection with possible buddy taping can help as it improves.

Q. I pronate when I walk. What are the long term effects if I don't get this fixed?

Samantha, if the foot doesn't hurt then there is nothing I would recommend right now. Sometimes people will develop pain related to the arch of the foot. In that case an orthotic is a good first step. But I wouldn't recommend prophylactic surgery.

Q. I am a runner and find my feet hurt after an extended amount of time...any suggestions to help alleviate the pain?

Jon, a stiffer supportive show is generally appropriate for an ailing foot. Flexibility is key in the calf (stretching).!

Q. What's the best way to heal runner's knee? My ulta-intense running buddies tell me to just run through the pain, and it will go away. However, it feels like my knee is being stabbed. Could this be something deeper or am I just a wuss?

Michael, runners knee can be impact related. Often strengthening all components of the quad muscle can help. Gentle leg strengthening focusing on the inside (medial)_ quad can help. For example, on a leg press machine try externally rotating your leg to isolate this muscle

Q. Can I ask Dr. Miller a question?

Melody, I am here to answer your q

Q. I tore my soleus when I was younger from overuse as an athlete. When I'm exercising, especially on cold days, I feel an aching pain that runs from my Achilles to my knee. Are there some exercises I can do to help heal scar tissue?

Jackson, flexibility is key to calf injuries. But yes, sometimes they are chronic. Google "eccentric" exercises and start with that. OFten times a heel lift in your shoe may help.

Q. I have swelling in one of my ankles really bad but it doesn't hurt. Could this be an injury?

John P - Swelling is nonspecific. This could be come inflammation in the joint, a minor injury, or a sign of injury in the past that is now bothering you. If you don't have much pain I would wait and see, try a compression stocking maybe. If persistent, let us know!

Q. I do a lot of running and my family tells me I special shoes does that really matter?

Trevor, usually shoe choice is based upon feel and running style. Any running store can help provide a fitting for this. But what you have may be ok

Q. I am told I have hammertoe and have to buy wide shoes...how do you treat hammertoe?

Margie, if the toe is still flexible, it may be protected with an insert/toe sleeve. Otherwise, if it still rubs, sometimes surgical correction can help to improve pain.

Q. I am feeling pain in the top of my foot when I walk my friend says I could have a fracture. Wouldn't I feel that more it it was?

Harold, often times without injury, pain on the top of the foot could be the bones responding to increased stress. While not always a true fracture, it may respond to some activity modification. Otherwise, reasonable to come in and get an xray and check.

Q. My ankle buckles a lot is that an issue? Should I have it checked out?

Paula, sometimes the ankle giving way can be due to pain or instability. In either situation this could be an old injury returning pain or some laxity in the ankle. If you get pain or feel unstable on the ankle, I think it worth having you come in. Thanks!

Q. Good Morning, I have a sore foot just when I wake up in the morning - it usually goes away shortly after I get up . Just wondering if I should have this checked out. thank you so much.

Morning!! Often the sore foot in the am on the bottom may mean plantar fasciitis--this responds to some calf stretching commonly. If on the top and not going away, this could be a stress response in the bones. If it doesn't go away in a few weeks/getting worse, let us know.